4. Examples

4.2. Design Thinking

The first step of Design Thinking is typically referred to as "Empathize" or - in our case - "Understanding the Networker." It involves gaining a deep understanding of the people for whom you are designing a solution, their needs, and their challenges. This step focuses on developing empathy for the community members and networkers to ensure that the subsequent steps of the design process are centred around their needs.

During the "Empathize" step, designers aim to observe and engage with the networkers directly. This can be done through various methods, including:

  1. Conducting interviews.
    You may engage in one-on-one interviews with members to gain insights into their experiences, preferences, and pain points. Open-ended questions are often used to encourage your interlocutors to share their thoughts and emotions freely. Here is the explanation of this type of question:
    https://www.questionpro.com/blog/what-are-open-ended-questions/
  2. Participatory observations.
    You can observe members in their natural environments, such as their communities, workplaces, or specific contexts related to the challenge. This helps designers understand the context in which members operate and how they interact with existing solutions or situations.
  3. Engaging in empathy-building activities.
    You may also engage in activities that help to immerse yourself in the members' experiences. This could include shadowing, role-playing, or using creative techniques like creating user personas or empathy maps.
    If you are more curious about the role-playing methods (they might be really fun and insightful!) we highly recommend a very comprehensive description of some techniques here: https://www.wikihow.com/Roleplay

The objective of the first step is to gather qualitative data and insights that go beyond surface-level observations. You should aim to understand the underlying motivations, behaviours, and emotions of the members. This understanding forms the foundation for designing solutions that truly meet humans' needs and provide value.

By empathizing with the community, you can uncover latent needs, unmet desires, and pain points that users may not even be fully aware of themselves. This step allows us to gain a human-centred perspective, shifting the focus from assumptions and preconceived notions to a deeper understanding of the users' world.